Arthur will be consulted for team selection’

LAHORE: Newly-appointed head coach Mickey Arthur will miss Pakistan’s preparations for the tour of England as the South African, after obtaining Australian citizenship, is most likely to arrive in the country on Thursday — when the training camp would be over and the squad would’ve already been announced.

“We spoke with Arthur today and he’s received his Australian passport,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters on Friday. “In the next couple of days, he will receive his visa from the Pakistan High Commissioner in Australia and will be here by Thursday.”

Pakistan’s training camp is due to conclude on June 6 and the selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq will then announce the squad.

Head coach gets Australian passport but will miss Pakistan training camp

Shaharyar, however, played down Arthur missing the camp. “It’s better late than never,” he said.

Asked if Arthur had informed the PCB about his citizenship and visa problems before accepting the slot, Shaharyar nodded before adding: “We thought it wouldn’t take this long.

“However, other coaches — batting, bowling, fielding and other staff — were training the boys and Arthur would be consulted before announcing the squad.”

Shaharyar added that he was optimistic that spot-fixing convict Mohammad Amir would get visa to travel with the team for the tour of England whilst informing that Mohammad Hafeez had begun training at the camp.